The Reach Out: Amanda Carpenter
The CNN political commentator took up running during the pandemic. Then she ran a 10k.
Amanda Carpenter is a CNN political commentator, writer for The Bulwark, and the author of “Gaslighting America: Why We Love it When Trump Lies To Us.”
I reached out to Amanda to ask about her newly discovered love of running and why she enjoys training for races.
I read on Twitter that you became a runner during the pandemic.
I decided to start training for a 10K in August when I saw a promotion for a local race. It seemed like I had been waiting forever for my local gym to "get back to normal" without required masks and reservations, so I thought, "Well, why don't I try to do this right now instead?"
In the past, I've done a lot of lap swimming and some at-home yoga, but this time I was really interested in the idea of doing an actual program.
Do you find that you stick to a regular exercise routine?
I'm always much better in the morning. I try to do it right after I get the kids to school, but sometimes I have to wait until later in the morning based on whatever I am working on. But, definitely morning, always. I did one afternoon run a few weeks ago. It was the worst.
Have your exercise routines changed since the pandemic began?
Oddly, I exercised LESS during the pandemic because I kept thinking it was going to be temporary. WRONG!
Do you pay attention to how much movement you get during the workday?
Not intentionally, but generally I like to move around a lot. I find that when I'm writing, if I find my brain wandering and my fingers clicking over to a shopping website or something unproductive, it's time to take a break and come back to things.
Is there a strategy that you think is realistic for people who want to be more active?
Whatever you do, it needs to be fun. Running is something that is fun for me, probably because I use it to think, I don't keep track of my pace, and just try to run for a set amount of time or distance. I'm not trying to break any records. I'm out there for the fresh air and to get my body moving in a way that feels good.
Is there someone or something that motivates you to keep active and fit?
The clear-headed feeling after a good workout. Love that.
Other than running, which other activities do you enjoy for stress management?
I love finding a subject to get interested in and then reading a handful of books about them back-to-back. DIY study course!
When you’re exercising indoors, are you following the news?
It depends on the news cycle.
Are you checking your email, texts, and social media?
I'm always checking emails and never really turn my phone off because of the kids, but I deleted Facebook ages ago, disable Instagram quite frequently, and occasionally delete Twitter off my phone for a day or weekend.
Is there one show that you have enjoyed recently?
I barely watch anything, as I’ve never been a TV or movie person. We don't have cable TV and I don't have Netflix or Hulu. I listen to most of the news on my SiriusXM app.
Last spring I sort of watched ‘The Americans,’ but lost interest once the body count reached a certain unrealistic point and then I just skipped ahead to see how it ended.
While the Peloton has been the most widely discussed COVID-era exercise activity, many people, including Amanda Carpenter, took up running. With the gyms closed and a desire to get away from Zoom, running outside makes a lot of sense!
Thank you, @amandacarpenter
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